Head-gate construction



March 2 Rl E. BouLToN HEAD GATE c'zoNsTnuc'rIoN 3 SheeItS-Sheet 1 1N /ENTOR B0 /3 Jaz? Filed March 12, 1925 ,a u, 5. u f M @Z w f/ Mr E l f |L/4 L W LLA Z M W w J2/5 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. E. BOULTON Filed March 12 1925 HEAD GATE CONSTRUGTI ON March 2 A TTRNEy R. E. BOULTON HEAD GATE CONSTRUCTION March 192.6.

Filed March 12 1925 3 Sheets--Shezerl I5 NVENTUR Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES ,PATENT OFFICE. N'

ROBERT E. BOULTON, OF SILT, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO SADIE J'. vBO`UI;|'ION, 0F 'SIL'.L,

' i COLORADO. l i i HEAD-GATE oons'rmrcmion.

Application led Martih 12, 1925;` Serial No. 15,028.

T0 all whom t may concer/i:

Beit known that I, Renner E. BoUL'roN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at l Silt, in the county of Garfield and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Iniprovements in Head-Gate' Constructions, of which the following is a speci4 fication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. y

This invention relates to head gate' constructions and more particularly to the head gates of irrigation ditches and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a gate of such construction that each of several parties who are being supplied from a main ditch will receive proper proportion ofthe water delivered to the main ditch, and this supply will not be dependent upon the maintenance of a constant head or level of the main ditch.,

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of ahead gate of such character that the collection of trash at the mouthlof the gate tending toclog the action Vof the gate is prevented.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for maintaining a constant ditch size at each gatek without the necessity of an expensive structure.`

A further object" of the invention" is the provision of` novel and improved means for adjusting the gate so that the amount of water or the proportion of water passing from the main ditch to the lateral may be very finely adjusted andthis adjustment secured against tampering.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying` drawings, wherein for the vpurpose of illustration is showna preferredyembodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through one form of head gate constructed in accordance with my invention; Figure2 is a plan view of the gate as shown in Figure 1; i I

' Figure 3 is a front elevation of the gate;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective of a slightly modified form of gate operating" mechanisrn;

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional lView showner of latchingthe same; and

ing the adjusting mechanism and the man- Figure 7 is a plan view 0f the lltchlig,

p mechanism clearly disclosing the protecting shield.

"Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, the numeral 10 `generally indicates a main ditch of an irrigating system and 11 a lateral through which water j is conducted to the fields to be irrigated. From the main. or supply ditch a duct 12 is led to connect the. main -ditch with the lateral, this duct being preferably formedl of concrete.' At the main ditch end ofthe duct the side walls ofv this duct have extension walls l13 and lecoinciding with the side walls of the ditch, these extension walls and the lower edge of the duct at the main ditch end thereof being provided with 'an `outstanding ledge 15, the upper surface of which immediately adjacentl the face `of the walls 13, 14 and the edge of theduct is formed with a groove 1G extending ventirely along the ledge and opening through both ends thereof.

In the construction shown in the. drawings,

l the current in the main ditch 10 is presumed to be in the directionof the arrow Afof Figure Zand at the lower end of the down 'streamfwall le a transverse bafiieV 17is formed having itsV lower end 18 extending below the bottom of the ditch as more clearlyV shown in Figure 1 and its upper edge 19 at the level of the lower inner face 2O of theduct 12.` This transverse baffle 17 Vat the far sidev of Ythe ditch from the duct 12`is `formed with a vertical extension 21, the

outer edge 22 of vwhich is embedded lin the side wall 23 of the -ditch bank and the inner edge of which projects into the ditch 10 slightly constricting the same and cooperating with the wall 14 to provide aI uni-form size for the ditch 10 at a point immediately adjacent the duct 12. This is important due to the fact that these ditches areconstantly changing in size 'and depth due to erosion and to deposition of silt. The provision of a hard resisting surface against which the water may act to keep the surface ofthe ditch clean and of uniform size at the duct insures a uniform depthof the water in the ditch at each of said ducts an-d furthermore provides points from which f section is materially reduced.

Seated upon and secured to the upper surface of the walls 13, 14 and the upper surface of theduct 12, as at 24, is an angle bar having lthe vertical flange 26 thereof downwardly directed in spaced relation to the front face of the walls 13, 14 and combining with these walls and the main ditch end of the upper wall of the duct to provide a groove 27 and in opposition'to the groove 16 of the ledge 15 hereinbefo-re mentioned. The grooves 16 and 27 receive the upper and lower edges respectively of the gate 28, the gate sliding in the grooves and movingupstream of the ditch 10 to an open position. The downstream edge of the gate is provided with an out-turned curved flange 29 which acts to cause floating dbris to move to the center of the stream of the ditch 10 instead of through the opening of the duct uncovered by the gate.

Mounted upon the upper surface ofthe vangle bar 25 is the gate operating mechanism two forms of which are herein disclosed. Referring now more particularly to that form shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, this operating mechanism includes alever 30 pivoted to the vertical flange 26 of the angle bar and swinging in av vertical plane. The upper end of this level' coacts with a segment 31 secured to the horizontal flange of the angle bar, as at 32. The segment has a plurality of arcuately arranged rows of spaced openings 32, the openings ofthe rows being staggered with relation to one another and being fairly closely arranged. The lever 30 at that portion thereof coacting with the segment is provided with a longitudinal eX- tending slot 33 through which is directed a pin 34 having a head 35 engaging the lever at the sides of the slot and an opening 36 through which may be directed the clasp 37 of a padlock 38 or the like. 'Bhe lower end of the lever has directed through a longitudinally extending slot 39 formed thereinV` a headed element 40 which engages lwith-the door. It will be obvious that by adjusting the pinror headed element 34 to dierent openings of the segment a very*l fine adjust- Vment of the gate may be had such as is necessary to properly regulate the amount of water which is admitted to the lateral 11. It will, of course, be obvious that different arrangements of different gates upon the ysame main ditch is necessary even though each'of the users has to be supplied with the samek amount of water due to the fact that each lateraly from the main ditch reduces the level of the main ditch a certain amount and necessitates the gates arranged further along the main ditch in the operation of flow being opened further than at the first named ditch.

By the form shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 an even finer adjustment of the gate may be obtained. In this form of the invention a plate 41 is secured to'the horizontally eX- tending flange of the angle bar. Spaced bearings 42 are provided paralleling the vertical flange of the angle bar, these bearings being preferably carried by the plate 41 and being spaced apart a very short distance. Through thesebearings a threaded shaft 43 is ydirected which shaft is provided with an angular arm 44 the lower end of which is engaged with the gate 28. Between the bearrection or the other. A square nutis pref--` erably employed for this purposev and a wrench 46 is employed for rotating the nut. This wrench has formed in the handle thereof an opening 47 which is engageable over the hasp 48 carried by the plate 41, while ythe j aws'49 of the wrench are engaged with the nut. .A padlock 50 may then be applied to the hasp and will hold the wrench against movenientfanjl accordingly prevent rotation of the nut and any adjusment of the shaft 43 until unlocked by an authorized person. In order that the bearings, nut and wrench may be protected from the weather, a hood 5l is provided having a slot 52 receiving the hasp and having portions 53 extending over such bearings, nut and wrench to shield the same from the wea-ther. i Y

In the operation of either of the head gates above described, the .proportion of waterpassing through the gate is not subiect to change due to changes inthe level of fliewater in the ditch vas is the case where the gate is vertically movable and provides a horizontal opening, the vertical height y,of

lll)

which is altered. y In suchv cases, it will be f obvious that any change in thel level of the ditch changes the head to which the open-ing is subjected `and Ywith such change of head or; amount of water which will pass through the opening in a given time will vary. As f previously stated, the flange 29 serves to deflect particles of floating dbris and prevent their lodgment against the walls at the 'edge of the opening so that they will. not interfere'with .the movement of the gate. This is l further assisted by having the interior wall of the duct 12 and the wall 14 meet ina right angle so. that there is nothing provided against which such dbris may lodgef The groove 16 lbeing opened at both ends is f lt will be obvious *that't'he struc-ture Vhere- "inbefore set nfforthfis capable of a certain -lhereinafter claimed.

range of changeand-inorliication without in 'anymanner departing from the spirit of' my Vinvention "and I vaccordingly do not limit myself to such specific structure except as Afi siam rf ll. tIn a .head jgateff-or irrigation ditches and thelike.andiasineansffor delivering a predeterniined 4quantity of -water `froma` rend Aof said wall and extending transversely ofthe ditch and havingiits upper endlevel with theysurface-of 'the bottom 4of-the duct anditsilower surface embeddedfin the botytom of the ditch, lthe opposite end of said `baifle being provided with a vert-ical l extension 'forming-a 4portion ofthe wall voffthe .ditch in opposition sto* the downstream wall offthe diict and a-gate for controlling the jpassage of fluidthrough the duct, said gate being'horizontally movable and being pro- ;vided at 4its fdownstreain edge `with an `outstanding f flange deflecting floating dbris to `the center 1' of the ditch.

"2. Ina head-gate for irrigation ditches and-the likeandlfasmeans lfor delivering; a predetermined `quantity Yof water 'from a lmain ditclrendito laflateifahaa duet connectingwthe main fd-itch and lateral and cominun'ioating i with eaehz thereof, Y af duct fat the main ditch thereof being provided .:at its wall of the ditch,v a bafIle connected-abone endof saidzwall and Aextending transversely of the ditch and.l having its upper end level with the surface of the bottom of the duct and its lower surface embedded in the bottom of the ditch, the opposite end of said bafflebeing provided with a vertical extension forming a portion of the wall of the ditch in opposition to the downstream wall of the duct, a gate for controlling the passage of fluid through the duct, said gate being horizontally movable and being provided at its downstream edge with an outstanding flange deflecting floating dbris to the center of the ditch, the main ditch end y of the duct having a ledge provided in its upper surface with a groove in which said gate operates, the ledge supporting the gate.

3. In a head gate for irrigation ditches and the like and as means for delivering a predetermined quantity of water from a main ditch end to a lateral, a duct connecting the main ditch and'lateral and communicating with each thereof, a duct at the main ditch thereof being provided at its downstream end with a wall forming one wallof the ditch, a baffle connectedat'one end of said wall and extendingtransversely of the ditch and having its upper end levelwith the surface of the bottom of the duct-and its lower surface embedded in the `bottom ofthe ditchythe Voppositeend of said baii'le being provided with a vertical ex- "tension forming a portion .of the wall of the ditch in opposition to the downstream wall of the duct, a gate `forcontrolling the fpassage of fluid through the duct, s aid gate being horizontally `movable and being prolvided at its downstream edge with `an outstanding flange deflecting floating dbris to thecenter ofthe ditch, the main ditch end of .the duct having a ledge provided in its upper surface with a groove in which said' gate operates, the ledge supporting the gate, said groove 4liavingits opposite ends opened. 4. In a head gate for irrigation ditches .and the 'like and as means `forfdelivering a predetermined quantity of water from a main ditch end to aflateral, `a duct connect- Ying ithe 7main ditchandlateral and com- :inunieat-ing with each thereof, duct at the` `main ditch' jthereof being provided at its .'-dowiist-reain end with a wall forming one iwall .of `the ditch, a baille connected at one nendwof said wall and extending transversely ofth-editch yand hav-ingiits upper end level .ivithithe surface of the'bottom of the Vduct and its flower surface embedded in `the-bottomzofztheditch, the opposite endof-said baiile :being `provided with a vertical extension Vrforming a portion ofthe wall' o'f the ditchin opposition to the Ydownstreamwall offthe duct, ay gate for controllin-g-the `pas- ;sage' of ffluid through 'the duct, said gate idownstream fend with -;a"wall rforirring f one l being 'horizontally l'mov-.able 4and being prothe center of the ditch, the main ditch end of the duct'having a ledge provided in its upper surface with a groove in which said gate operates, the ledge supporting the gate, the upper end Wall of the main ditch end of the duct having members secured the-reto provided with a vertical flange opposing the main ditch end of the duct and combining therewith to form a groove receiving the upper edge of the gate.

5. A head gate for irrigation ditches and the lilre,'a duct having at one side thereof a wall, the upper and lower ends of the wall being provided with opposed grooves receiving the upper and lower edges of a horizontally sliding gate and means for controlling the motion of the gate comprising a horizontally shiftable threaded shaft, spaced bearings for the shaft, a member threaded upon the shaft between the bearings, an arm upon the .shaft engaging the gate and common means for rotating the member or for locking the member to prevent rotation thereof.

6. A head gatefor irrigation ditches and the like, a duct having at one side thereof a wall, the upper and lower ends of the wall being provided with opposed grooves receiving the upper and lower edges of a horizontally sliding gateand means for controlling the motion of the gate comprising a horizontally shiftable threaded shaft, spaced bearings for the shaft, member threaded upon the shaft between the bearings, an arm upon the shaft engaging the gate, common means for rotating the member or for locking the member to prevent rotation thereof, comprising a Wrench engaging said member and having` an opening in the handle thereof and a fixed support having a hasp extendible through the opening of the wrench while the wrench is engaged with the member, the paslp being adapted for the reception of a 7. A head gate for irrigation ditches and the like, a duct having at one 'side thereof a. wall., the upper and lower ends of the wall being provided with opposed grooves receiving the upper and lower edges ofa horizontally .sliding gate and 'means for controlling the motion of the gate comprising a horizontally shiftable threaded shaft, spaced bea-rings for the shaft, a member threaded upon the shaft between the bear-l ings, an arm upon the shaft engaging the gate, common means for rotating the member or for locking the member to prevent rotation thereof, comprising a wrench engaging said member and having an opening in the handle thereof, a fixed support hav-- ing a hasp eXtendible through the opening of the wrenchlwhile the wrench is engaged with the member, the hasp being adapted for the reception of a'lock, and a hood for said bearings, shaft, and wrench maintained in its protecting position by the application of the lock.

8. In a head gate for irrigation ditches and the like and as means for delivering a predetermined rquantity of water fromV a main ditch to a lateral, a duct connecting the main ditch and lateral and communicating with each thereof, the ductl at the main ditch lend thereof being provided at its downstream end with a wall forming one wall of the ditch, a lbaiiie connected at one end of said wall and lextending transversely of the ditch and having its upper end level with the surface of the bottom of the duct and its lower surface embedded in the bottom of the ditch, the opposite end rof said baiiie being provided with a vertical extension forming a portion of the wall `of the ditch in opposition to the downstream wall of the duct7 a gate for controlling the passage of fluid through the duct, said gate being horizontally movable and being provided at its downstream edge with anoutstanding flange deflecting Heating dbris to the center ofthe ditch, the main ditch endof the duct-having a ledge provided in its upper surface with a groove in which said gateoperates, the ledge supporting the gate,fthe upper end `wall'of the main ditch end of the duct having a member secured thereto provided with a vertical fiange opposing the main ditch end of the duct and combining therewith to form a groove receiving the upper edgefof the gate, and means mounted upon said member and the flange thereof controlling the motion of d ROBERT E. BoULToN. 

